Depression decisions — 2018

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective November 9, 2012. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a verified in-service stressor and therefore cannot establish service connection for PTSD. The claim for depression is also denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is caused by his service-connected disabilities, and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and SSA records, as well as a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder remains under review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) is found to be related to her service-connected disabilities, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and depression have been rated at 30 percent each, effective August 31, 2010.,The Veteran has gastroesophageal reflux disease that is aggravated by his service-connected arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cognitive disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a cognitive disability is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS, is rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board has restored the 50 percent rating for her service-connected lumbar spine fusion residuals.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and granted service connection based on evidence indicating that she experienced military sexual trauma during her service, which led to PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to in-service trauma.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for depressive disorder and granted it on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 6, 2014. Prior to that date, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,From July 28, 2014, the Veteran was found unable to obtain or maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide names and addresses of any medical care providers who have treated him, including Vet Center treatment. Updated VA treatment records since July 20, 2017 are also needed.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest due to COPD. The VA examiner found that the service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death or aggravate his COPD.

The Veteran's unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with depressive disorder is granted as service connected, while the right ankle sprain remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD, major depression, and general anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus disability was rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder prior to April 6, 2017 was rated at 30 percent, but from that date forward it is rated at 50 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.,No specific service connection theory or exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depression disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional mental health records and a VA examination.